Reservations are required for all programs and must be made at least 2 weeks (10 business days) in advance. To reserve group programs, email reservations.njsm@sos.nj.gov. Many programs have minimum group sizes for participation; see specific program details for group size requirements.

The Museum requests 1 chaperone per 10 students, to be included in your group count. Chaperones are require to have paid seats in the Planetarium.

All completed reservations will receive a confirmation and an invoice. If you did not receive these forms please follow up to make sure the reservation was completed. Confirmations contain important information for your visit including bus parking and Museum rules. Please distribute this information to all chaperones and bus drivers.

If you must cancel your field trip, please email reservations.njsm@sos.nj.gov as soon as possible. No refunds will be made if payment has already been processed. However, we will work with you to reschedule your visit, apply payment to a virtual program or receive credit to be used the following school year.

Please Note: All in-person programs are subject to change per COVID-19 health and safety regulations. We reserve the option to reschedule or cancel programs if we are unable to safely serve you.

The Museum is accessible for visitors with special needs. To arrange accommodations for your visit, please contact Devra Hock-Reid at (609) 292-5420.

All lunches must be brought – there is no food available to purchase at the Museum.

Lunch bins are available at the main entrance or Planetarium lobby for your group to store lunches and backpacks during your visit. Food and drink, including water bottles, are not permitted in the gallery spaces.

Groups may reserve space in the lunch room at 225 West State Street. For lunch room reservations, please ask about current details when making your reservation.

Weather permitting, outdoor eating space is available. Picnic tables at the Museum entrance are available on a first come first serve basis. Lawn space is available in front of the Museum, near the Planetarium, or in Capitol Plaza Park located between the State House Annex and the State Library. If you plan to picnic outdoors, please bring blankets for seating and clean up all trash.

Group Payments are required 2 weeks (10 business days) in advance. Groups must pay in one transaction, we do not accept deposits or individual payments. Groups providing a PO within the 2 week deadline will be able to pay in full directly after the field trip date. We accept checks made out to Treasurer, State of New Jersey and mailed to PO Box 530, Trenton NJ 08625 or credit card payment over the phone. We cannot accept credit card payments in person the day of the trip.

Payments MUST be made in full 2 weeks prior to your program date. The Museum reserves the right to cancel non-paid reservations within this 2 week window.

Final head counts, including teachers and chaperones, must be confirmed with the Museum no later than 2 weeks prior to the visit. Refunds will not be issued for decreased attendance; persons added on the day of programs may not be accommodated.

Buses must drop off and pick up in front of the Museum on West State Street.

Your day will start 10-15 minutes before your first program with our Museum Welcome. We will go over Museum guidelines for your group and give you time to check in, drop off lunches and bags in the available bins at the main entrance, and use the restroom. Your confirmation will show the time of arrival and location of the Welcome.

Please have students organized into groups with chaperones prior to your visit. Your leader should have an accurate count of teachers, students and chaperones, and will be asked to check in at the Information Desk at the main entrance.

Planetarium shows begin promptly at the scheduled time; groups arriving late may miss their show. The Museum does its best to accommodate late groups; however, if a conflict with other programs or groups arises, the Museum reserves the right to adjust, change, shorten or cancel the scheduled program. No refunds will be issued for programs missed due to late arrival.

Groups coming from the New Jersey State House tours should allow extra travel time between the Museum and the State House entrance due to ongoing renovations.

Please give a copy of the Bus Map to your driver(s) so they know where to drop off, park and pick up your group.

Buses must park in the lot at the corner of Perry Street and Route 1 (about 1 mile from the Museum).

Metered street parking for cars is available on weekdays, as is parking in paid lots throughout the downtown Trenton area. Limited visitor parking is also available in the State House Parking Garage next door to the Museum with entrances on West State Street.

If your group is coming in separate vehicles, please plan a meeting spot; we suggest the Information desk at the main entrance, or in the Planetarium lobby.

The New Jersey State Museum is dedicated to creating a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience for all our visitors while protecting our exhibits to ensure everyone can appreciate them. Our Museum staff are committed to doing everything we can so visitors feel safe, welcome, and respected, and we ask that all visitors contribute to that goal by following the Museum guidelines.

Respect Museum staff, volunteers and other visitors. Behavior or language that is inappropriate, abusive, harassing, or threatening will not be tolerated.
There is no running, climbing, sitting or standing on any railings, barricades, or exhibits. Please refrain from shouting, screaming, raised voices or any kind of disruptive behavior.

No flash photography allowed in the Museum. Pictures without flash may be taken for personal, noncommercial use. Please try and refrain from taking photographs of visitors who are not with your group. Tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted.

While the Museum includes both hands-on and hands-off areas, all hands-on sections are clearly marked. Assume a hands-off/eyes-only policy when no sign is present.

Food and drink are not allowed in Museum galleries. Picnic tables outside are available for use.

Backpacks are not allowed in the galleries. Students should leave their backpacks on the bus, or deposit them in bins provided at the Planetarium or at the Main Entrance.

Chaperones are responsible for the appropriate behavior of all students in their group. We request 1 chaperone per 10 students, and for our youngest visitors (ages 6 and younger), we request 1 chaperone per 5 students. Chaperones are required to remain with students at all times.

The Discovery Den on the second floor is reserved for families and young children, please keep school groups out of that area.

By visiting the Museum, you are agreeing to comply with Museum guidelines and are responsible for any group you visit with. Refusal to follow this Code of Conduct and any rules - whether on print materials or as directed by NJ State Museum staff - can result in removal from the Museum.